Youth Violence
Youth violence is a public health problem that affects thousands of young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities.
Youth Violence:
Facts, Data and Statistics
Youth violence can be prevented in many communities. The main goal is to stop youth violence before it starts.
The United Nations states, “Youth violence has a serious, often lifelong, impact on a person’s physical, psychological and social functioning.“
According to the CDC, “Thousands of people experience youth violence every day. While the magnitude and types of youth violence vary across communities and demographic groups, youth violence negatively impacts youth in all communities—urban, suburban, rural, and tribal.”
The UN also says, “Youth violence greatly increases the costs of health, welfare and criminal justice services; reduces productivity; and decreases the value of property.”
CDC Facts
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Youth violence has serious and lasting effects on the physical, mental, and social health of young people.
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It is a leading cause of death for young people and results in more than 400,000 nonfatal injuries each year.
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The impact of youth violence goes beyond physical consequences.
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Adverse childhood experiences, like youth violence, are associated with negative health and well-being outcomes across the life course.
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Youth violence increases the risk for behavioral and mental health difficulties, including future violence perpetration and victimization, smoking, substance use, obesity, high-risk sexual behavior, depression, academic difficulties, school dropout, and suicide.
How Can We Stop Youth Violence Before it Starts?
Make sure that these kids have a safe place - safe place physically, safe place emotionally, safe place mentally, safe place all the way together.
WOW OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT
During the First quarter of the year, WOW Outreach wanted to meet some of the metrics of IC2. Here are the metrics that were met in the first quarter:
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Decrease Crime in Micro-Hot spot area
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We improved relationships
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Increased Youth engagement
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Improved relationship with Police
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Increased family and youth participation
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Increased job readiness and employment rates
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Increased youth engagement in positive developmental activities.
How did we decrease crime in Micro-Hot spot area?
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We hold weekly meetings virtually during the time where most crimes are committed( 4pm to 6pm).
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Continually communicate with our youth when we are not meeting in person or virtually.
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We are currently working with Juvenile Justice department. They are currently sending youth to our program.
HOW ARE YOU PREVENTING YOUTH TRAUMA?
I think having a conversation with the young people that are experiencing the traumas are so important.
Highlighting what they have to say: What is traumatizing them? What are they feeling? And making sure that those feelings are acknowledged and are validated.
Play - we really have to understand and realize that that is the going to be one of the focus points for our kids, mentally, physically and spiritually. To be able to get out and play.
Free Developmental Assets Framework
The Developmental Assets® Framework
Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities (external assets). The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people (internal assets).